On a regular True-or-False Tuesday, we're ready to roll
From the "Talks too much, it's go time.
Atlanta Braves Alberto Callaspo (1) hits a single to bring in Atlanta Braves Jace Peterson in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins on Monday, April 13, 2015, in Atlanta. Braves
At this pace the Braves will finish 138-24. Yes, that would be a record.
OK, that's not going to happen of course, but it is completely fair to look at this 6-1 start and wonder if we underestimated this bunch.
We're not ready to crown them anything. There are roughly 26 weeks in a baseball season, and to dominate one is not the merits of of champions or reasons to print postseason tickets.
But the look of this bunch seems different for sure.
There are more positive signs for this bunch than any Braves collection since Bobby Cox was around.
This quote Eric Young Jr. gave reporters after Monday's rain-delayed 3-2 win over the Marlins was telling:
"When you get contributions from everybody on the roster, whether they start the game or not, it's going to make for a special team and a very fun summer," Young said.
This bunch is aggressive and looks for ways to create runs. That's enjoyable to watch.
They are flawed - they have little power (four homers in seven games) - and they have relied greatly on an overachieving bullpen. Plus, they have exploited a very soft opening schedule
That's not a great recipe for long-term success, but it has been fun.
Is there reason to believe this bunch can contend?
We're not ready to go that far, but they have our attention, and that's something we were unsure of roughly 10 days ago when they dealt their best player on the eve of Opening Day.
Indianapolis Colts tight end Coby Fleener (80) is congratulated by wide receiver Donte Moncrief (10) after scoring a touchdown on a 7-yard pass play against the Tennessee Titans in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 28, 2014, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Mark Zaleski) ---
Titans draft
The rumored moves and shakes about the upcoming draft seem somewhat distant and focus clearly on Nashville.
There is talk that the Tennessee Titans could/would deal the No. 2 overall pick to the San Diego Chargers for Philip Rivers and maybe the Chargers' No. 1 pick, which is No. 17 overall.
Rivers has yet to sign a contract extension, and the Chargers have to explore options. If they believe Marcus Mariota is a long-term solution, then the deal makes sense.
For the Titans, if they believe Zach Mettenberger needs more time, then trading back and getting three-to-five years of Rivers, who turned 33 last December, seems like a pretty good idea, too. Especially if are not sold on Mariota.
Plus, for a franchise that craves some much-needed energy, what if the first round played out like this:
Titans do the deal and get a top-10 quarterback in Rivers, something they have not had since Steve McNair. At No. 17, they draft Todd Gurley, and with the first pick of the second round they roll the dice on receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, the former top-overall prospect who got in trouble at Missouri for domestic issues. DGB has high first-round talent and even bigger question marks, but man that's a real infusion of skill players to an offense desperate for them.
We love the draft. You know this.
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NBA winds down
With two days left in the NBA's regular season - boy it just feels like last decade when it started, right? - let's look around the league.
The New Orleans Pelicans and the Oklahoma City Thunder are tied at 44-37 for the final playoff spot in the West. The Pelicans hold the tie-breaker, so if they win their finale against San Antonio on Wednesday, they are in.
In the East, the Pacers have a half-game lead on the Brooklyn Nets. Indiana has two games left; the Nets have one, as does Miami, which is a half game behind Brooklyn. Here's an explanation of the convoluted scenarios.
Miami Heat's Hassan Whiteside tries to get past Boston Celtics' Jared Sullinger during the first half of an NBA basketball game in Boston, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Winslow Townson) As for the individual awards, well, there is going to be some debate about that. Here's our view
MVP - Steph Curry, Warriors. We believe LeBron is the best player - as stated here by J.R. Smith -but Curry has been awesome for the best team in the league.
Most improved - Hassan Whiteside, Heat. Seriously, where did he come from?
Defensive player of the year - Kawhi Leonard, Spurs. We think Anthony Davis is the biggest defensive difference make, but voter fatigue and a late surge from Draymond Green of Golden State will the Uniblocker.
Rookie of the year - Andrew Wiggins, T-Wolves. The Kevin Love for Wiggins deal will be an all-time, "Wow" move if the Cavs don't win it all this year and Love leaves Cleveland. If Wiggins learns how to shoot he's going to be a top-10 player in the league.
Coach of the year - Mike Budenholzer, Hawks. Some NBA folks predicted the Warriors could be very good, and they have been better than that under Steve Kerr. But who in a blue moon expected the Hawks to be the best team in the East?
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This and that
- Loved this story about Jordan Spieth's caddie, who was a sixth-grade teacher this time last year, gave up his job to carry Spieth's bag and has made more than $375,000 in the last 30 days. Carpe diem indeed.
Jordan Spieth speaks with his caddie Michael Greller on the 15th hole during the fourth round of the Masters golf tournament Sunday, April 12, 2015, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel) - We just saw a clip this. Apparently there's new "Vacation" reboot with Ed Helms playing Rusty Griswold taking his clan to Walley World. We'll give it a shot.
- Speaking of 1980s classics getting remade, Helms is in a "Naked Gun" and Game of Thrones star Emilia Clark is set to play Sarah Connor in a new "Terminator." Side note: If you don't watch Game of Thrones, well, that's on you.
- Oregon runner Tanguy Pepiot was beaten in an NCAA track meet last weekend because he slowed down to celebrate at the wire. Here's the clip, and yes, amazingly Tanguy is the really pasty dude. Go figure.
- Answer from yesterday: The numbers on the caddie's coveralls at the Masters is the order in which their players arrived in Augusta and registered for the tournament, starting with 2 and going forward. No. 1 is reserved for the man on the defending champ's back.
- Tom Brady continues to win at life. His 2015 of everyman bucket list moments continued Monday when he threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox home opener. In addition to that, he took BP off Pedro Martinez before the game. You know all those old "Chuck Norris" jokes, well, Chuck Norris would never trade places with anyone else, but if he did, it would be Tom Brady.
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Today's question
We have several on a True or False Tuesday.
True or False: The Bucks new logo will alter the downtrodden franchise? Fear the Deer. (And if you wanted to toss out a Rushmore of pro sports logos, we'll play along.)
Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman catches a ball hit by New York Mets' John Mayberry Jr. during his game Friday, April 10, 2015, in Atlanta. True or False: The Braves will be a playoff contender?
True or False: If you were the GM of the Warriors and the Cavs called and said "we'll trade you LeBron for Curry," you would do it?
True or False: If we gave you Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy against the field at the US Open, you would take? Spieth and McIlroy are the clear Vegas favorites.